Favorite Libations

For fun here's a list of some of my favorite beers in the world. Will update this as I experience new ones! Cheers, Dr. Kowawa

Beers:

IPAs

Island Brewing Company's Island IPA -- from our local brewery in Carpinteria, CA this is one of my favorite IPAs. In winter / spring also try their seasonal Big Island Double IPA.

Dogfish Head -- 90 Minute IPA -- a front-loaded, powerful yet refined IPA deserving of the praise it has received

Bear Republic -- Racer 5 IPA -- found this one at my local Capital Ale House in Richmond, VA and fell in love . . .

Lagers

Grolsch Lager -- the beer with the funny stopper has the skunky goodness; this one is one of Dr. Sweewawa's favorites too

Samual Adams -- Brewer Patriot

Pilsner

Pilsner Urquell -- this Czech beer is one of the best in the world

Ales

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale -- one of the best beers from the California region, mellow delicious

Boddington's Pub Ale -- this ale from Manchester, UK has a unique in-the-can widget that aerates the beer on pouring giving it the characteristic creamy head and smooth body

Anchor Steam Christmas Ale -- every year the folks in San Francisco create a new recipe for this christmas offering, for the purpose of "joy and celebration of the newness of life." It's always a winner.

Miscellaneous

Kasteel Triple -- this is an amazing Belgian beer I first tried at (of all places) a Vietnamese retaurant in Richmond, VA called Mekong. Simply amazing, one of the best beers in the world

Van Steenberge's Piraat -- another very special Belgian beer that we tried at the Mekong restaurant. Wow!

Favorite Champagne

Piper Heidsieck -- enjoyed a bottle of this fine champagne with my parents to celebrate finishing my 3rd year of medical school!

Cabernet Sauvignon

Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- this wine costs about $10, is from the Lake County region (nestled between Sonoma and Napa), and has delightful hints chewy fruits

Chateau Diana 1221 Cabernet Cuvee -- blend of Sonoma and Napa grapes, complex nutty fruity flavory with persistent pleasant finish

- find link for Chilean Cab, "Natura"

Pinot Noir

Freestone Vineyards 2008 Fogdog Pinot Noir -- "has an intense perfumed bouquet of violets, red cherry, tangerine, spice and black tea, with subtle hints of roasted coffee and creamy oak in the background" ... really enjoyed this one, though pricey at $30 a bottle